Prebirth Clinic & Prenatal Contact

Pregnant women who live in Region of Waterloo have the opportunity to meet with a Public Health Nurse, beginning with the Prebirth Clinic. Women are encouraged to attend a Prebirth Clinic early in their pregnancy, ideally between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. The appointment takes approximately 30 minutes.

They may also, with their consent, receive a prenatal phone call or a home visit by a Public Health Nurse.

The process begins with the woman attending a PreBirth Clinic at one of the two area hospitals with childbirth units. Or, if she wishes, a pregnant woman may participate in the Region of Waterloo Public Health's Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program.

Prebirth Clinic

What Is It?

Prebirth Clinics are a partnership between Grand River Hospital, Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Region of Waterloo Public Health. They are provided at both hospitals for all expectant women planning to deliver their babies at either Grand River or Cambridge Memorial.

Prebirth Clinics are staffed by Public Health Nurses

What happens at the Prebirth Clinic?

A Public Health Nurse:

• Obtains written consent for release and sharing of health record Information.
• Provides information about the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program.
• Completes a prenatal assessment.
• Assesses the needs of each family.
• Connects families with appropriate community services as soon as possible.
• Distributes and reviews the prebirth package of information.
• Obtains verbal consent for a postpartum contact.

Prenatal Contact

Prenatal Telephone Call

When prenatal support is needed and a pregnant woman agrees, a referral can be made to the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program. A Public Health Nurse will call the woman and discuss the pregnancy, pregnancy supports, breastfeeding, nutrition, baby care, parenting and much more.

At this time the expectant woman can be linked to community support services or to family visitor support program.

Prenatal Home Visits

Prenatal home visits may be offered during a prenatal contact. In that case, a Public Health Nurse goes to the client's home to discuss issues about pregnancy, childbirth and the types of support that may be needed.

Longer-term support may then be provided by a Public Health Nurse and a Family Visitor through the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program.

More Information

For more information on the Prebirth Clinics or Prenatal Contact or to speak to a Public Health Nurse, please call the Healthy Children Info Line at 519-883-2245; TTY 519-883-2427.